2019 Strategic Plan

Empty Arms Bereavement Support approved its first strategic plan in 2015, to guide our growth and development over the following three years. As we begin 2019, we look back at what we have accomplished, and share our strategic plan for the next three years (2019 to 2021).

ABOUT

The Strategic Plan is comprised of four sections: Building Internal Capabilities, Expanding Our Reach Locally, Expanding Our Reach Nationally, and Financial Landscape. Within these four sections, the Committee has outlined key goals and strategies for improving the sustainability and strength of Empty Arms Bereavement Support internally, and increasing outreach and networking opportunities within the local perinatal loss community, as well as with other organizations nationally.

Building Internal Capabilities

At this moment in time, Empty Arms finds itself at the cusp of being able to provide resources for every family in the Pioneer Valley who experiences pregnancy or infant loss. As our programs expand, and we companion with and provide resources for increasing numbers of people, in the next three years we must proceed carefully to ensure that our staff, systems, and protocols are sufficient to support this growth that we are so proud to have accomplished.

Milestones from the past 3 years:

Through our companion work at our four community hospitals (Holyoke Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson, Mercy, and Baystate Franklin), and in the past year through our miscarriage outreach program, we are reaching more families than ever before. In the past three years we have significantly expanded our trainings for medical practitioners and increased our support group offerings. We also opened our own office space at 140 Pine St. in Florence, which has provided a wonderful base for all activities. We have financially invested in paying support group facilitators, and we hired four new support group facilitators!

GOAL 1: Expand and strengthen peer companion program

STRATEGIES

1. Create written manual for peer companions.

2. Hold yearly training for peer companions, and recruit at least five new companions for 2019, with a priority for bilingual companions.

3. Recruit more professional photographers, particularly from Hampden county.

Expanding Our Local Role

Empty Arms Bereavement Support is well known within the Pioneer Valley as being a thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate place for support and care during a family’s most difficult time. As we build our capabilities, it is critical that we continue to build that reputation, and ensure that families are able to find our resources for support. In the next three years, the Board of Directors and staff will focus on new opportunities to reach families in crisis, and to more effectively outreach to those in our network.

Milestones from the past 3 years:

We have made great strides in our outreach to various communities. We started a support group specifically for TFMR parents, and hired three new bilingual (Spanish speaking) and bicultural peer companions. Thanks to support from the CFWM, we partnered with 20 local OB-GYN clinics to provide miscarriage comfort kits with the new “Making It Through Your Miscarriage” booklet, and created a more robust referral network for early loss patients. From 2006-2014 (over the course of 8 years) we served a total of 200 bereaved families. In just the past 3 years, from 2015-2018, we’ve served an additional 200 newly bereaved families, so our capacity has grown significantly. This is likely due to a higher referral rate and successful outreach efforts. We also hosted our first daylong retreat for families.

Expanding Our National Role

The social trends and status quo around loss are slowly changing. More than ever, we see families being open and sharing the news of their miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant loss, not only to family, but also to their broader networks. As we are a current leader in the field, this provides a unique moment for Empty Arms Bereavement Support to grow as an important resource and model of care in the perinatal loss community. In the next three years, the organization will continue to leverage and expand our connections regionally and locally to grow our partners, and become a stronger voice and advocate for those we serve.

Milestones from the past 3 years:

We’ve attended the past 7 Partners in Perinatal Health conferences, as well as the previous 3 Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA) conferences. Carol presented a seminar at PLIDA 2018. Share (a national network for perinatal loss support organizations) partnered with us to produce a presentation on running support groups. We have given trainings across New England and the Eastern Seaboard. Our written materials are used at hospitals across the country.

GOAL 1: Increase use of Empty Arms trainings and written materials nationally

STRATEGIES

1. Edit support group curriculum based on facilitator feedback, and then set up online & print purchase options.

2. Reach out to support group facilitators around the country to inquire about interest in curriculum

3. Complete edits to the journal for bereaved parents, make available by pdf and hard copy for purchase. Complete a social network and nonprofit promotion.

4. Film trainings for medical professionals and get CEUs approved. Do outreach to hospitals regarding in person and online trainings.

Financial Landscape

In the past three years our financial priorities have expanded to create sustainability for the organization through paid staff positions, companion and facilitator stipends, and the acquisition of our own office/meeting space. In our next three years, we will continue to assess/ refine our financial needs as an organization, seeking necessary funds from a combination of individual donations, grants, and institutional support.

Milestones from the past 3 years:

We have been very successful in our giving campaigns (Valley Gives Day and Giving Tuesday). We also secured several large grants from the Howard Stark Foundation, Community Foundation of Western MA, and the John E. Sackett Foundation. Smaller grants have also come from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Baystate Health, and the Sinai Temple of Springfield. In 2018 we had our inaugural Syrup Stampede 5k, which raised nearly $30,000! In the past three years, our budget has increased significantly.

GOAL 1: Make a financial plan to account for the end of Valley Gives Day

STRATEGIES

1. Create an annual fundraising plan to include mailed and emailed appeal letters

Empty Arms Bereavement Support

Empty Arms Bereavement Support is a Western Massachusetts-based non-profit organization offering resources and support to families across the region who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. We are affiliated with the national organization Share.

Empty Arms offers a variety of bereavement support to grieving families across Western Massachusetts. One in four pregnancies ends in a loss, and we are grateful to be able to support families during their darkest times.

All resources on our webpages are copyrighted 2017 Empty Arms Bereavement Support. Contact us if you'd like to share our resources.

Empty Arms operates through the generous support of our individual donors, as well as grants from The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Baystate Health, Howard E. Stark Foundation, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.